Chapter Eighty-Nine: Eyes Piercing White Silk

Watercloud Immortal Sect was a top-tier sect with considerable influence. Yet regardless of the sect’s stature, its disciples needed resources—spirit stones, spiritual materials—to cultivate and advance their realms and strength. And how were these resources obtained? Naturally, they came from the countless enterprises run by the sect.

The ‘elder sister’ mentioned by Qian Xiaoyue, having been sent to oversee matters, certainly carried a mission. Besides recruiting talents, the most crucial task was to increase the profits of the Watercloud Pavilion. Currently, she was encountering obstacles in this regard. Qian Xiaoyue had benefited much from her, so it was only natural that she was willing to lend a hand within her means.

Zhou Changwang understood well and immediately said, “Since Fellow Daoist Qian has a request, I certainly won’t refuse. In another ten days or so, my Gathering Spirit Grass will mature, and I’ll send it to you then.” Business among acquaintances was always preferable, and he believed Qian Xiaoyue’s assurance that he wouldn’t suffer a loss.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhou.” Qian Xiaoyue’s eyes brightened with a smile upon hearing this, then her gaze fell on several Spirit Gold Bees in the distance, exclaiming, “You raise spirit bees? What kind are these? They seem a bit fierce?”

Just then, a Black Needle Venom Bee flew in from the east. Several Spirit Gold Bees rushed to meet it, and after a brief aerial skirmish, killed the intruder and began feasting upon it midair. Indeed, they appeared vicious and brutal.

“Spirit Gold Bees feed on metallic spiritual ores. My spiritual fields have suffered pest infestations recently, so I decided to raise a hive to guard against them. Seems it’s working out,” Zhou Changwang explained with a smile, showing Qian Xiaoyue around. When mentioning the Thunder Spirit Rice Tree, he glossed over it as an economic spiritual plant and didn’t elaborate.

Qian Xiaoyue did not press the matter, only marveling inwardly at Zhou Changwang’s rapid growth and transformation. She still remembered the scene months ago when he was ambushed by that innate couple; now, not to mention his strength, even his wealth had changed dramatically.

Renting a courtyard on South Street, cultivating Gathering Spirit Grass, raising spirit bees, and mastering talisman crafting—each accomplishment amazed her.

Returning to the front courtyard, Qian Xiaoyue didn’t linger, taking her leave. Zhou Changwang made a brief attempt to retain her, then escorted her to the gate. He had wanted to invite her for a meal, but though he had some spirit rice left, he was out of vegetables—and, embarrassingly, lacked even a single low-grade spirit stone.

“By the way, Fellow Daoist Zhou, didn’t I mention the inevitable conflict between the Bai and Chen families?” Qian Xiaoyue said suddenly, stopping at the gate, her expression solemn. “Recently, ‘elder sister’ brought it up again. She said the Bai family’s patriarch was ambushed and wounded, then intervened during market chaos while still recuperating, aggravating his injuries and shortening his lifespan. He may not have many years left.

“That’s why the Bai family sent Bai Yufeng to Hekou Peak, seeking the Nine-Turn Life-Restoring Pill made by second-tier high-grade alchemist Xu Ruoxian. Apparently, Xu Ruoxian has been refining it for six months and needs another half-year. When the pill is ready, if Bai Yufeng succeeds in bringing it back, the Bai patriarch may be saved, securing their hold as market masters. If not, when the Bai patriarch dies, the market will change hands.”

“So, the pill’s success is the key?” Zhou Changwang’s expression changed slightly.

Who managed the market was not his concern, nor did it affect him directly. But such a major upheaval would surely cause turmoil among the upper ranks, which would ripple down and disrupt the lower levels. As a small, independent cultivator, survival would become extremely difficult.

He had no desire to relive the chaos of that previous night.

“Exactly. If Senior Xu Ruoxian fails in pill refinement, the Bai patriarch will surely die. The Chen family may bide their time, waiting until the Bai patriarch passes before making a move. But if the pill succeeds, the Chen family will not sit idly by, and may attempt to intercept Bai Yufeng or attack the Bai family directly. The market will descend into chaos, more dangerous than the last time,” Qian Xiaoyue continued, “So ‘elder sister’ said if chaos looms, she’ll withdraw and leave Fengming Market, and asked if I’d like to go with her. I didn’t answer directly, only asked if I could bring a few friends.”

“Is there any need to consider?” Zhou Changwang replied at once, then, seeing the burning look in her eyes, was moved.

“‘Elder sister’ agreed. So, if the time comes to leave, you…” Qian Xiaoyue hesitated. Zhou Changwang waved his hand calmly, “I’m not foolish. Knowing the danger, why would I stay? With a senior from Watercloud Immortal Sect leading the way, it couldn’t be better.”

…

After Qian Xiaoyue left, Zhou Changwang couldn’t help feeling restless. What she had told him was hardly good news. The struggle between the Bai and Chen families involved not just two cultivation clans, but all cultivators in the market. For someone like him at the bottom, surviving between two great powers would be extremely challenging.

“Perhaps leaving is indeed a wise choice.” Zhou Changwang pondered, though the only option was to take things one step at a time. Fortunately, there was still half a year’s buffer. By then, both Gathering Spirit Grass and Thunder Spirit Rice Tree would mature, so he needn’t worry about losses in that regard. The only concern was safety.

Fengming Market stood isolated amidst the mountains; beyond its borders lay wilderness, swarming with venomous insects and countless monsters. Traveling alone was perilous. Only some caravans had blazed safe, familiar routes, but even they had to remain vigilant against danger. If he truly had to leave, it would be safest to follow disciples of Watercloud Immortal Sect.

…

“Sure enough, after changing my talisman brush, paper, and ink, drawing talismans has become much smoother,” Zhou Changwang thought, holding his Golden Tip Talisman Brush, feeling the spiritual energy flow effortlessly through the brush, into the guiding hairs, the ink, and finally onto the talisman paper, without the slightest obstruction—a feeling of ease and artistry.

With the final stroke, a hum resonated. Spiritual light flared over the beast-hide talisman paper; vast spiritual energy flooded in, saturating the ink, then gradually subsided, returning to calm.

The talisman was complete. And it wasn’t just an ordinary spirit talisman—it possessed more than seventy percent of the power of a standard spell.

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First-tier Basic Lightning Talisman. This was the tenth such talisman he had drawn. He also carried five First-tier Basic Fireball Talismans and three First-tier Basic Protective Talismans. Such was the fruit of his recent crafting.

But what excited him most was finally mastering the talisman recipe for the Golden Light Shield, bought from Talisman Fate House. Though the entry-level Golden Light Shield Talisman’s defense was weak, after crafting a hundred in succession and reaching proficiency, the resulting talismans far surpassed even high-grade protective talismans.

As for top-grade Golden Light Shield Talismans—Zhou Changwang estimated that even a third-layer Qi cultivator’s full-strength attack would struggle to break one.

After two hours of continuous talisman drawing, Zhou Changwang, thoroughly exhausted, entered his cultivation chamber.

“The last Yellow Spirit Pill is gone,” he thought, preparing the Gold Soup Spirit Lock formula and sitting cross-legged in the bath, swallowing a Yellow Spirit Pill. Surging spiritual energy filled every corner of his body, absorbed and transformed by his rapidly circulating Five Elements Method.

One cycle, two, three…

Five Elements Method +1

Five Elements Method +1

Cultivation +1

Cultivation +1

After several cycles, Zhou Changwang opened his eyes. The spiritual energy within had been fully absorbed and converted to spiritual power. Feeling a subtle fullness inside, he was content.

“Qi Cultivation layer three (89/100). Not far from a breakthrough. If I rely solely on self-cultivation, it’ll take about two more months. But with the aid of pills… three or four Yellow Spirit Pills…” A glint shot through his eyes.

He felt a sense of urgency. At layer three, he was still a low-level cultivator—not to mention the immortal sects, even in Fengming Market, he was at the bottom, innately inferior.

But those at layer four and above were entirely different. Cultivators at layer four possessed spiritual perception, could freely wield magic tools, investigate their surroundings with closed eyes, and introspect to better assist cultivation and spot mistakes.

Qian Xiaoyue’s breakthrough to layer four had indeed spurred him on.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go out again, sell some talismans, and buy a couple bottles of spirit pills,” he muttered, glancing at his attribute panel.

Technique: Five Elements Method (Mastery 678/800)

“Hm? The Five Elements Method is almost full?” Surprise and joy filled his face.

When the method reached proficiency, it would operate automatically. At mastery, it expanded his meridians and became more suited to his constitution, doubling the automatic operation’s effectiveness.

He had been cultivating routinely, scarcely noticing this. Now, upon careful inspection, he realized that the method was about to level up.

After mastery came perfection. Zhou Changwang looked forward to the changes perfection would bring.

“Five days at most. Five days and the Five Elements Method will be perfected.” He calculated his daily cycles and quickly reached this conclusion.

Five days would pass in the blink of an eye. With his cultivation nearing breakthrough and his method nearing perfection, Zhou Changwang felt delighted.

He emerged from the bath, tidied himself, lay comfortably, and quickly took out a jade slip from his storage bag. With a thought, he immersed his mind in the slip.

One breath, two, three… five breaths.

A vague feeling arose—he seemed to have persisted longer today—before he quickly slipped into sleep.

The next morning, Zhou Changwang went out. He sold his talismans in three batches. Perhaps because the chaos was subsiding, talisman prices had dropped slightly.

But this only meant less profit; he didn’t mind. In the end, he kept all his First-tier Basic Talismans, selling most others. His storage bag now held 237 low-grade spirit stones.

Satisfied, he wandered Watercloud Pavilion.

Soon, his 237 spirit stones became 137. One bottle of Yellow Spirit Pills, fifty spirit stones; one bottle of Clear Eye Spirit Liquid, fifty more.

The Yellow Spirit Pills were to hasten his cultivation to the peak of layer three—ten pills per bottle, more than enough.

As for the Clear Eye Spirit Liquid, it was for practicing Spirit Eye Technique. He had already bought five bottles, used four, and felt his eyes become clearer and brighter. His vision had doubled in range.

Yet, to pierce through rice paper and see the scene on its other side, he felt he was still far off. Thus, he intended to buy another bottle. Clear Eye Spirit Liquid was a good thing; more only brought benefits.

Finally, he headed to the loose cultivator market.

He’d struggled long enough. Having spent his last spirit stone buying Spirit Gold Bees, his rice jar contained spirit rice but no vegetables. When Qian Xiaoyue visited, he hadn’t dared to invite her to dine.

So, he planned to buy some spirit beast meat and spirit vegetable seeds.

His spiritual fields were large; he could spare a patch for planting. Spirit vegetables matured quickly—one Growth Acceleration spell and they were ready to harvest.

After spending three spirit stones on a small bag of mixed vegetable seeds, he noticed Chen Yushu, the spirit plant master, setting up a stall to sell rice again. Chen Yushu spotted him and beckoned.

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Zhou Changwang hesitated but approached.

“Senior Chen, what is it?” he greeted, a touch uncertain.

“I have something to ask you,” Chen Yushu said, casting a soundproofing spell. “I recently rented an estate in the eastern district, about ten acres of spiritual fields, intending to plant a special spirit plant. But I need one or two trustworthy spirit farmers. I thought of you. We’ve known each other for a while; I trust you. If you’re willing, come work at my estate—room and board included, plus ten spirit stones a month. The eastern district’s spiritual energy is dense; cultivating there will help your practice.”

He spoke casually, watching Zhou Changwang.

“This…” Zhou Changwang was momentarily stunned, surprised that Chen Yushu would try to recruit him.

For ordinary low-tier spirit farmers, this was excellent treatment. Previously, Zhou Changwang had labored for half a year to earn only forty or fifty spirit stones, and after deducting his thirty-stone investment, netted little profit.

The eastern district’s cultivation environment was coveted by countless low-tier cultivators—a day’s cultivation there equaled four or five days on the market’s fringes.

Moreover, he could receive guidance from Chen Yushu, a sixth-layer Qi cultivator and spirit plant master. Whether in cultivation or planting, the gains would be immense—benefits money couldn’t buy.

Yet for Zhou Changwang, it meant little now. He had his own courtyard, spiritual fields, and secrets—how could he work under someone’s nose?

So, after a brief pause, he replied, “Thank you, Senior Chen, for your appreciation, but at present, I have no intention of working others’ fields.”

Now it was Chen Yushu’s turn to be surprised. He hadn’t expected refusal. “Do you recall those three spirit seeds I asked you to cultivate? Months ago, after much effort by my master and me, we finally grew ten Thunder Spirit Rice Trees, rooting them and producing Thunder Spirit Rice. This time, we aim to expand the crop. Are you sure you don’t want to join? If it works, you might rejoin the Spirit Plant Hall as a formal spirit plant master.”

“You grew them?” Zhou Changwang exclaimed.

He hadn’t expected Chen Yushu to succeed with Thunder Spirit Rice and plan large-scale cultivation. Still, he thought, if he as a third-layer cultivator could do it, Chen Yushu—a proper spirit plant master with a ninth-layer master—could certainly manage.

But he had no intention of helping plant Thunder Spirit Rice elsewhere, needing to tend his own five hundred-plus plants.

So he quickly replied, “Thank you, Senior Chen, but I truly have no intention of working others’ fields… I’ll take my leave.”

He cupped his hands and departed swiftly.

Returning home, it was already afternoon. After eating spirit rice with several dishes of spirit vegetables and a plate of Ironhide Pork, he hurried to the backyard.

Seeing all was well, he relaxed. Sitting in the pavilion, he first dropped some Clear Eye Spirit Liquid into his eyes, feeling them grow brighter, then took out several jade slips containing formation techniques for careful study.

The Dao of formations was vast and profound. After prolonged research, Zhou Changwang felt he was beginning to grasp it. He planned to consolidate his knowledge for a few more days, then formally study several basic formations and attempt to set them up. At least, simple formations like soundproofing and mist arrays should be within reach.

Just then, he noticed several Black Needle Venom Bees drawn by the maturing Gathering Spirit Grass’s spiritual energy, flying in from the east and descending. He paid it no mind.

The Spirit Gold Bees had already exterminated nearly a hundred Black Needle Venom Bees; a few more were hardly enough for them.

Sure enough, as the newcomers approached, the Spirit Gold Bees rushed out as if defending their territory. Two Black Needle Venom Bees were quickly caught and devoured, while the other two fled.

By chance, five or six more Black Needle Venom Bees arrived and joined the fray.

But Spirit Gold Bees were notoriously fierce, feeding on metallic ores, their bodies transformed into a unique metal, with astonishing hardness—not to mention their numerical advantage.

The six Black Needle Venom Bees were wiped out, while the earlier two fled, soon vanishing into the distance.

Instinctively, Zhou Changwang felt uneasy and moved forward.

A flash of golden light—one Black Needle Venom Bee fell from the sky.

He advanced again, but this time the distance was too great. His Gengjin Finger’s golden light sliced off half its tail, but the rest escaped, disappearing quickly.

He was somewhat regretful, but there was nothing he could do. By the time he realized the two bees were escaping, they were nearly twenty yards away. Their small size made them hard to hit; only frequent use of Clear Eye Spirit Liquid had sharpened his vision enough to succeed.

Otherwise, he’d have left none behind.

“I really need to master the Spirit Eye Technique soon. Stronger eyesight makes it easier to attack distant targets,” he muttered, dropping more Clear Eye Spirit Liquid into his eyes.

Upon opening them again, the world seemed to gain new color, becoming vibrant and vivid. He could see even the tiniest dust motes in the sky. Vaguely, he could even perceive the intangible yet real spiritual energies of various colors.

His eyes seemed to break through a barrier, undergoing a transformation.

“Could this be…” Zhou Changwang’s heart stirred. He quickly took out a sheet of white rice paper and held it before his eyes.

(End of chapter)

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